McKinleyville man arrested for multiple drug charges

Just before 11 AM Monday morning, a property owner notified the Sheriff’s Department a cabin he owned on Spears Ave in Eureka was being entered and exited by a male and female associated with a 2001 Honda Civic. When authorities arrived on the scene, the Civic drove away. The deputy noticed the license plate was covered with painter’s tape to obscure the number. When the deputy turned and made a traffic stop, the male driver, 30-year old William Duane Hillegeist, allegedly exited the car as if to flee. The deputy was able to grab the man by the wrist a which time a plastic baggie fell out of his pocket containing 1 gram of methamphetamine.

Further investigation turned up an additional 6 grams of heroin and 21 pounds of processed marijuana and a scale. Hillegeist was arrested and booked into Humboldt County Jail on a variety of drug charges. The female passenger was released.